EP3623039B1 - Agitator unit, system and method - Google Patents
Agitator unit, system and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3623039B1 EP3623039B1 EP19194965.0A EP19194965A EP3623039B1 EP 3623039 B1 EP3623039 B1 EP 3623039B1 EP 19194965 A EP19194965 A EP 19194965A EP 3623039 B1 EP3623039 B1 EP 3623039B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- agitator
- unit
- rod
- flask
- sealing cap
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 4
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 34
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000013019 agitation Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 10
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 7
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000314 lubricant Substances 0.000 description 2
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002028 Biomass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003599 detergent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006351 engineering plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004519 grease Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013022 venting Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M27/00—Means for mixing, agitating or circulating fluids in the vessel
- C12M27/02—Stirrer or mobile mixing elements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
- B01F27/05—Stirrers
- B01F27/051—Stirrers characterised by their elements, materials or mechanical properties
- B01F27/054—Deformable stirrers, e.g. deformed by a centrifugal force applied during operation
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
- B01F27/05—Stirrers
- B01F27/11—Stirrers characterised by the configuration of the stirrers
- B01F27/112—Stirrers characterised by the configuration of the stirrers with arms, paddles, vanes or blades
- B01F27/1126—Stirrers characterised by the configuration of the stirrers with arms, paddles, vanes or blades the stirrer being a bent rod supported at one end only
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
- B01F27/80—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis
- B01F27/88—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis with a separate receptacle-stirrer unit that is adapted to be coupled to a drive mechanism
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
- B01F33/80—Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
- B01F33/81—Combinations of similar mixers, e.g. with rotary stirring devices in two or more receptacles
- B01F33/812—Combinations of similar mixers, e.g. with rotary stirring devices in two or more receptacles in two or more alternative mixing receptacles, e.g. mixing in one receptacle and dispensing from another receptacle
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
- B01F33/80—Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
- B01F33/81—Combinations of similar mixers, e.g. with rotary stirring devices in two or more receptacles
- B01F33/813—Combinations of similar mixers, e.g. with rotary stirring devices in two or more receptacles mixing simultaneously in two or more mixing receptacles
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
- C12M23/02—Form or structure of the vessel
- C12M23/08—Flask, bottle or test tube
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
- C12M23/38—Caps; Covers; Plugs; Pouring means
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an agitator unit intended for a flask.
- CN205146261U discloses a seal reaction bottle for test of methane potentiality.
- the reaction bottle comprises a reaction bulb main part and an inseparable intraoral reaction bottle plug for the reaction bottle.
- the reaction bulb is equipped with two air ducts and a straight tube that runs through the reaction bulb.
- the upper end of the reaction bulb main part is equipped with a motor base, and the upper end of the motor base is equipped with the motor.
- the lower part of the motor is equipped with an output shaft connected with a stirring rod. The motor passes through the output shaft and drives the stirring rod to provide rotation.
- One purpose of the present invention is to provide an agitator unit which is autoclavable, is easy to use and may be adapted for several types of reaction flasks and different types of industrial applications. So, the flask should be easily sealed without mounting of electrical agitator, the sealed flask should be easily autoclaved without risk for getting chemical or biological contamination during consequent experimental setup. Furthermore, it should be user friendly and convenient to set up both single and multiple flasks with agitators with little effort and time.
- agitator unit intended for a flask, wherein the agitator unit comprises the following parts:
- the agitator unit according to the present invention also provides other differences when being compared to known agitators like the ones disclosed as prior art above.
- the agitator unit according to the present invention provides high flexibility for a user, such as adaption for several types of reactor flasks, possibility of using different material on mixing tube and cap and auto-clavability, fluidic mixing pattern. Therefore, the agitator unit according to the present invention can meet different demands in chemical, biological and biomedical applications.
- the agitator unit according to the present invention provides high user-friendliness.
- the device has an impeller connected to a drive shaft, which extends through an opening into the container.
- the assembly includes a lip mount to stabilize and support the mixer on the lip of said container.
- a cover secures the lip mount with threaded fasteners engaging complementary fasteners on the container neck and clamping the plate to the container lip.
- the agitator rod tube has a closed sealing end so that the agitator rod is sealed from the inside of the flask.
- This feature ensures a total seal of the content of the flask, i.e. also from the agitator rod.
- this feature also provides high flexibility for a user. The user can choose different types of agitator rods, if necessary. Furthermore, to assemble the agitator unit and also insert the agitator rod is made very simple for a user.
- the agitator rod may be angled on at least one position along the agitator rod or is bent. This provides a suitable finger type agitation as explained above. Moreover, the agitator rod with one angle is often a shorter version and especially suitable for smaller flask sizes in the range of 100 - 1000 ml, e.g. GL flasks, such as a typical GL 45 laboratory bottle. Again, one of the key advantages of the agitator unit according to the present invention is its simplicity of mounting on standard laboratory glass bottles. According to yet another specific embodiment of the present invention, the agitator rod is angled or bent at two different positions along the agitator rod. This may have different configurations.
- the agitator unit has a brushless step motor which provides not only a long lifetime and stable performance, but also high accuracy and precision control of rotation speed.
- a brushless step motor which provides not only a long lifetime and stable performance, but also high accuracy and precision control of rotation speed.
- the agitator unit according to the present invention may be equipped with and without a gear box based on application demand.
- the power output of the motors may of course be chosen in order to meet the demand on torque capacity.
- the present invention refers to an agitator system comprising several flasks and several agitator units according to the present invention and where the individual agitator units and flasks are connected either in series or parallel, or any hybrid mode.
- up to around 15-18 agitators may be connected in serial via 8-pin data and power connection cable.
- 8-pin data and power connection cable Such a simple data bus system allows all individual agitator to perform correctly with less risk of performance lose.
- each agitator unit is individually controllable. It should be noted that all levels of this is possible according to the present invention, i.e. from totally individual to semi-individual and also with most of things being controlled on a system level and not individually.
- the present invention also refers to a method comprising using an agitator unit in a reactor flask, or using an agitator system in several rector flasks, in chemical, food, feed, agriculture, environmental, biotechnical and biomedical and clinical laboratories.
- the material of the agitator rod tube may be selected with different biological, chemical, physical and mechanical properties for these certain chemical, food, agriculture, environmental, biomedical and clinical laboratory applications.
- the present disclosure also refers to a module design comprising four parts including motor holder unit, locking unit, sealing cup with agitator rod tube and agitator rod with connecting piece.
- the sealing cup with agitator rod tube can be pushed and set onto the top of a flask and sealed with help of locking unit without adding motor holder and agitator rod.
- the agitator unit according to the present invention provides a user-friendly assembling and dissembling feature, allows easily and good sealing of flasks without risk of chemical and biological contamination, easy experimental setup for multiple applications simultaneously without problem of wire and tube entanglement from agitators and flasks.
- the agitator unit is suitable for standard GL laboratory flasks. It is autoclavable, which supports a broad set of applications.
- the sealing cap of the agitator unit is user-friendly and can be easily mounted on a flask without using much force and any lubricant.
- the sealing cap may be made of engineering plastic having special rubber sealing on three sides. Two gas in/out ports may be provided.
- the present invention provides a multifunctional agitator unit and system which may be arranged with a brushless DC motor for long-life operation. Speed and on/off control may be provided. Moreover, it may have manually adjustable direction and time interval, as well as a timer function to set time periods for reversal.
- modular design for low maintenance may be provided.
- fig. 1 there is shown one an agitator unit 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, which is connected to a flask 2.
- the agitator unit 1 comprises an agitator rod 10.
- fig. 1 there is also shown an alternative of a motor and motor holder unit 6 to which the agitator rod 10 is connected.
- an agitator rod tube 5 holds the agitator rod 10 sealed inside of the flask 2 so that it does not come into physical contact with the content of the flask.
- the motor and motor holder unit 6 is connected to a locking unit 7, which in turn locks and seals the entire connection between the agitator unit 1 and the flask 2.
- a agitator unit 1 In fig. 2 all different parts are shown of an agitator unit 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- the motor and motor holder unit 6 To the far left, the motor and motor holder unit 6 is shown.
- a locking unit 7 is shown, in this case in the form a threaded locking unit 7 which is screwed on top of a flask 2 to lock the same.
- a sealing cap 3 arranged to seal a top 4 of a flask 2.
- the sealing cap 3 is arranged with a through hole 20 (see an alternative in fig. 4 ) into which an agitator rod 10 may be passed through, and where an agitator rod tube 5 holds the agitator rod 10 inside of the flask 2 without coming into physical contact with the content of the flask 2.
- the agitator rod 10 is angled once along the agitator rod 10. Moreover, the agitator rod 10 is connectable to a connecting side or piece 30, which in turn is connectable to the motor of the motor and motor holder unit 6 so that the agitator rod 10 may be driven and rotated.
Description
- The present invention relates to an agitator unit intended for a flask.
- Different types of agitators are known and disclosed. One example is described in
CN205146261U .CN205146261U discloses a seal reaction bottle for test of methane potentiality. The reaction bottle comprises a reaction bulb main part and an inseparable intraoral reaction bottle plug for the reaction bottle. The reaction bulb is equipped with two air ducts and a straight tube that runs through the reaction bulb. The upper end of the reaction bulb main part is equipped with a motor base, and the upper end of the motor base is equipped with the motor. The lower part of the motor is equipped with an output shaft connected with a stirring rod. The motor passes through the output shaft and drives the stirring rod to provide rotation. An agitation arrangement like the one disclosed inCN205146261U has also been published even earlier and described in the paper "An economical bioreactor for evaluating biogas potential of particulate biomass" in Bioresource Technology 92 (2004) 103-109 (seefig. 1 ). - One purpose of the present invention is to provide an agitator unit which is autoclavable, is easy to use and may be adapted for several types of reaction flasks and different types of industrial applications. So, the flask should be easily sealed without mounting of electrical agitator, the sealed flask should be easily autoclaved without risk for getting chemical or biological contamination during consequent experimental setup. Furthermore, it should be user friendly and convenient to set up both single and multiple flasks with agitators with little effort and time.
- The stated purpose above is achieved by an agitator unit intended for a flask, wherein the agitator unit comprises the following parts:
- an agitator rod;
- a sealing cap arranged to seal a top of the flask, said sealing cap being arranged with a through hole into which the agitator rod may be passed through, and an agitator rod tube intended to hold the agitator rod inside of the flask, wherein the sealing cap comprises one or more in/out ports;
- a motor and motor holder unit to which a connecting side or piece of the agitator rod is connectable; and
- a locking unit arranged to lock the sealing cap onto the top of the flask by screwing the locking unit onto the top of the flask;
- As notable from above, the agitator unit according to the present invention comprises four main parts. The agitator unit according to the present invention is simple to assemble and disassemble and still provides a safe sealing of a flask. The sealing cap is put onto a flask and the agitator rod is arranged into the sealing cap and into the agitator rod tube without being in contact with the content of the flask. A locking unit then locks everything onto the flask. Finally, the motor and motor holder unit is connected to the locking unit. The entire operation connects everything in place and seals and locks the entire agitator unit tightly together and onto the flask.
- In addition to the difference of the sealing concept and other physical and hardware differences, the agitator unit according to the present invention also provides other differences when being compared to known agitators like the ones disclosed as prior art above. For example, in comparison to agitators known, the agitator unit according to the present invention provides high flexibility for a user, such as adaption for several types of reactor flasks, possibility of using different material on mixing tube and cap and auto-clavability, fluidic mixing pattern. Therefore, the agitator unit according to the present invention can meet different demands in chemical, biological and biomedical applications. Moreover, the agitator unit according to the present invention provides high user-friendliness.
- The agitator unit according to the present invention provides a user-friendly assembling and dissembling feature, allows easily and good sealing of flasks without risk of chemical and biological contamination, easy experimental setup for multiple applications simultaneously without problem of wire and tube entanglement from agitators and flasks.
- Moreover, the agitator unit according to the present invention provides high flexibility with reference to type, shape as well as material, and size of agitator rod. Furthermore, the agitator unit is suitable for many different size levels of flasks, however equipment intended for testing and to be used in laboratories is of large interest in relation to the present invention.
- In
JP 2005 151812 A - Moreover, in
CN 205 146 261 U there is disclosed a similar agitator unit as the one disclosed inJP 2005 151812 A - Furthermore, in
US 2008/175095 A1 a mounting and coupling assembly for a mixer is disclosed. - The device has an impeller connected to a drive shaft, which extends through an opening into the container. Moreover, the assembly includes a lip mount to stabilize and support the mixer on the lip of said container. A cover secures the lip mount with threaded fasteners engaging complementary fasteners on the container neck and clamping the plate to the container lip.
- In
GB 2 527 048 A US 2009/152744 A1 there is disclosed a reaction vessel assembly with ambient gas exchange enhancing means, said reactor vessel assembly comprising a vessel, a gas intake passage, a stirring means, and a gas venting passage. - In relation to the present invention, features and advantages of the present invention are discussed below.
- In
figs. 1-5 there is shown an agitator unit and different parts thereof according to one embodiment of the present invention. - Below specific embodiments of the present invention are disclosed.
- According to the present invention, the agitator rod tube has a closed sealing end so that the agitator rod is sealed from the inside of the flask. This feature ensures a total seal of the content of the flask, i.e. also from the agitator rod. Moreover, this feature also provides high flexibility for a user. The user can choose different types of agitator rods, if necessary. Furthermore, to assemble the agitator unit and also insert the agitator rod is made very simple for a user.
- According to yet another specific embodiment of the present invention, the agitator rod tube together with an inserted agitator rod is arranged to provide clockwise and/or counter-clockwise rotation movement which serves as a mechanical finger design agitation. This type of agitation, that is finger type agitation, according to the present invention provides agitation where the agitator rod rotates with a circular or elliptic (oval) path around a vertical line inside of the flask, and where the path is provided at a distance from the vertical line in all positions. To continue on this perspective, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the agitator rod is arranged to extend at a peripheral distance from a vertical geometrical line extending through the through hole of the sealing cap. The agitator rod may be angled on at least one position along the agitator rod or is bent. This provides a suitable finger type agitation as explained above. Moreover, the agitator rod with one angle is often a shorter version and especially suitable for smaller flask sizes in the range of 100 - 1000 ml, e.g. GL flasks, such as a typical GL 45 laboratory bottle. Again, one of the key advantages of the agitator unit according to the present invention is its simplicity of mounting on standard laboratory glass bottles. According to yet another specific embodiment of the present invention, the agitator rod is angled or bent at two different positions along the agitator rod. This may have different configurations. As an example, the two angle agitator rods may be angled or bent first upwards and then downwards again. This type of agitator design may be suitable for larger reactor bottles, e.g. in the range of from 1000 - 10000 ml. In general, the agitator unit according to the present invention finds use for flasks or bottles having a size of from 50 ml up to 10 I. The length and shape of the agitator rod may of course be adjusted accordingly.
- Furthermore, according to one specific embodiment of the present invention, the agitator rod tube is flexible. This also implies that the agitator rod tube is made of a flexible material, such as suitable rubber materials. This also has benefits in relation to simplifying when inserting the agitator rod into the agitator rod tube with or with need of lubricant such as grease or detergent. The choice of rubber material may be made with reference to certain requirements regarding environmental, chemical and biotechnological applications.
- Moreover, according to the present invention, the locking unit is arranged to lock the sealing cap onto the seal on the top of the flask by screwing the locking unit onto the top of the flask. It should be noted that in the case of standard flasks screwing locking is very suitable.
- Furthermore, according to the present invention, the sealing cap comprises one or more in/out ports. This enables to both flow a liquid or a gas into the flask, but of course also lead produced gas away from the flask. As such, a flask having an agitator unit according to the present invention may be connected to measuring devices to measure produced gas or a flow into the flask, as well as dosing chemical into the flask etc. during the mixing processes. Moreover, as stated above, the agitator unit according to the present invention is connected to a control system enabling regulation of speed, rotation direction, time interval between clockwise and counter-clockwise movement of the agitator rod, and on/off control.
- Moreover, other parts of the agitator unit may vary, but also specific alternatives may be of certain interest in some cases. As an example, according to one specific embodiment of the present invention, the agitator unit has a brushless step motor which provides not only a long lifetime and stable performance, but also high accuracy and precision control of rotation speed. This should of course only be seen as one alternative according to the present invention, and other types brush DC and AC motors may also be alternatives but they often have poor performance in comparison with a brushless step motor. Furthermore, the agitator unit according to the present invention may be equipped with and without a gear box based on application demand. Moreover, the power output of the motors may of course be chosen in order to meet the demand on torque capacity.
- According to yet another specific embodiment, the present invention refers to an agitator system comprising several flasks and several agitator units according to the present invention and where the individual agitator units and flasks are connected either in series or parallel, or any hybrid mode. As an example, up to around 15-18 agitators may be connected in serial via 8-pin data and power connection cable. Such a simple data bus system allows all individual agitator to perform correctly with less risk of performance lose. Furthermore, according to yet another embodiment of such a system as above, each agitator unit is individually controllable. It should be noted that all levels of this is possible according to the present invention, i.e. from totally individual to semi-individual and also with most of things being controlled on a system level and not individually. To give some examples, the agitator system according to the present invention may in some cases not allow fully control of individual agitators. All agitators may e.g. be operated at certain rotation speeds and on/off interval. In such a case, it is possible to manually change the rotation direction and turn the individual agitators on and off. Again, all versions of levels of individual controlling are possible according to the present invention.
- The present invention also refers to a method comprising using an agitator unit in a reactor flask, or using an agitator system in several rector flasks, in chemical, food, feed, agriculture, environmental, biotechnical and biomedical and clinical laboratories. As hinted above, the material of the agitator rod tube may be selected with different biological, chemical, physical and mechanical properties for these certain chemical, food, agriculture, environmental, biomedical and clinical laboratory applications.
- The present disclosure also refers to a module design comprising four parts including motor holder unit, locking unit, sealing cup with agitator rod tube and agitator rod with connecting piece. The sealing cup with agitator rod tube can be pushed and set onto the top of a flask and sealed with help of locking unit without adding motor holder and agitator rod. With this arrangement on purpose, the agitator unit according to the present invention provides a user-friendly assembling and dissembling feature, allows easily and good sealing of flasks without risk of chemical and biological contamination, easy experimental setup for multiple applications simultaneously without problem of wire and tube entanglement from agitators and flasks.
- As discussed above, the present invention has several advantages. The agitator unit is suitable for standard GL laboratory flasks. It is autoclavable, which supports a broad set of applications. The sealing cap of the agitator unit is user-friendly and can be easily mounted on a flask without using much force and any lubricant. Moreover, the sealing cap may be made of engineering plastic having special rubber sealing on three sides. Two gas in/out ports may be provided. Moreover, the present invention provides a multifunctional agitator unit and system which may be arranged with a brushless DC motor for long-life operation. Speed and on/off control may be provided. Moreover, it may have manually adjustable direction and time interval, as well as a timer function to set time periods for reversal. Moreover, in the agitator system modular design for low maintenance may be provided.
- In
fig. 1 there is shown one anagitator unit 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, which is connected to aflask 2. Theagitator unit 1 comprises anagitator rod 10. Infig. 1 there is also shown an alternative of a motor andmotor holder unit 6 to which theagitator rod 10 is connected. Moreover, anagitator rod tube 5 holds theagitator rod 10 sealed inside of theflask 2 so that it does not come into physical contact with the content of the flask. Furthermore, the motor andmotor holder unit 6 is connected to alocking unit 7, which in turn locks and seals the entire connection between theagitator unit 1 and theflask 2. - In
fig. 2 all different parts are shown of anagitator unit 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. To the far left, the motor andmotor holder unit 6 is shown. To the right thereof, alocking unit 7 is shown, in this case in the form a threadedlocking unit 7 which is screwed on top of aflask 2 to lock the same. Thereafter, there is shown asealing cap 3 arranged to seal a top 4 of aflask 2. The sealingcap 3 is arranged with a through hole 20 (see an alternative infig. 4 ) into which anagitator rod 10 may be passed through, and where anagitator rod tube 5 holds theagitator rod 10 inside of theflask 2 without coming into physical contact with the content of theflask 2. As notable, in this case theagitator rod 10 is angled once along theagitator rod 10. Moreover, theagitator rod 10 is connectable to a connecting side orpiece 30, which in turn is connectable to the motor of the motor andmotor holder unit 6 so that theagitator rod 10 may be driven and rotated. - In
fig. 3 , the different parts according to the same embodiment as shown infig. 1 and2 are shown from a different view perspective. Moreover, in this case theagitator rod 10 with connected connectingpiece 30 is inserted through the sealingcap 3 and into theagitator rod tube 5, which is closed in the end so that the entire unit is totally sealable when being connected to aflask 2. - In
fig. 4 , then the sealingcap 3 is connected to aflask 2. Moreover, here the throughhole 20 of the sealingcap 3 is shown. Thelocking unit 7 is arranged to lock thesealing cap 3 onto thetop 4 of theflask 2. Furthermore, the motor andmotor holder unit 6 is connectable to thelocking unit 7. Moreover, infig. 5 there is shown the same embodiment, however in this case thelocking unit 7 is screwed to lock and seal thesealing cap 3 onto theflask 2.
wherein the agitator rod tube has a closed sealing end so that the agitator rod is sealed from the inside of the flask, and wherein the agitator unit is connected to a control system enabling regulation of speed, rotation direction, time interval between clockwise and counter-clockwise movement of the agitator rod, and on/off control.
Claims (10)
- Agitator unit (1) intended for a flask (2), wherein the agitator unit (1) comprises the following parts:- an agitator rod (10);- a sealing cap (3) arranged to seal a top (4) of the flask (2), said sealing cap (3) being arranged with a through hole (20) into which the agitator rod (10) may be passed through, and an agitator rod tube (5) intended to hold the agitator rod (10) inside of the flask (2);- a motor and motor holder unit (6) to which a connecting side or piece (30) of the agitator rod (10) is connectable; and- a locking unit (7) arranged to lock the sealing cap (3) onto the top (4) of the flask (2);wherein the motor and motor holder unit (6) is connectable to the locking unit (7), wherein the agitator rod tube (5) has a closed sealing end so that the agitator rod (10) is sealed from the inside of the flask (2), characterized in that:the sealing cap (3) comprises one or more in/out ports;the locking unit (7) is arranged to lock the sealing cap (3) onto the seal on the top (4) of the flask (2) by screwing the locking unit (7) onto the top (4) of the flask (2); andthe agitator unit (1) is connected to a control system enabling regulation of speed, rotation direction, time interval between clockwise and counter-clockwise movement of the agitator rod, and on/off control.
- Agitator unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the agitator rod tube (5) together with an inserted agitator rod (10) is arranged to provide clockwise and/or counter-clockwise rotation movement which serves as a mechanical finger design agitation.
- Agitator unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the agitator rod tube (5) is flexible.
- Agitator unit (1) according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the agitator rod (10) is arranged to extend at a peripheral distance from a vertical geometrical line extending through the through hole (20) of the sealing cap (3).
- Agitator unit (1) according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the agitator rod (10) is angled on at least one position along the agitator rod (10) or is bent.
- Agitator unit (1) according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the agitator rod (10) is angled or bent at two different positions along the agitator rod (10).
- Agitator unit (1) according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the agitator unit (1) has a brushless step motor.
- Agitator system comprising several flasks (2) and several agitator units (1) according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the individual agitator units (1) and flasks (2) are connected in either series or parallel, or any hybrid mode.
- Agitator system according to claim 8, wherein each agitator unit (1) is individually controllable.
- Method comprising using an agitator unit (1) according to any of claims 1-7 in a reactor flask (2), or using an agitator system according to claim 8 or 9 in several rector flasks (2), in chemical, food, feed, agriculture, environmental, biotechnological, biomedical and clinical laboratories.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
SE1851081 | 2018-09-13 | ||
CN201821498440.4U CN209438417U (en) | 2018-09-13 | 2018-09-13 | Agitator unit for flask and the agitator system including it |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3623039A1 EP3623039A1 (en) | 2020-03-18 |
EP3623039B1 true EP3623039B1 (en) | 2022-01-26 |
Family
ID=67841011
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19194965.0A Active EP3623039B1 (en) | 2018-09-13 | 2019-09-02 | Agitator unit, system and method |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3623039B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN113201436A (en) * | 2021-04-02 | 2021-08-03 | 北京大学 | Automatic resuspension device for centrifugal precipitation and resuspension method |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA2437391C (en) * | 2001-02-06 | 2010-04-20 | Levtech, Inc. | Apparatus and method for mixing materials sealed in a container under sterile conditions |
US7832923B2 (en) * | 2002-12-09 | 2010-11-16 | Dynamix Agitators Inc. | Mounting assembly for plastic bulk container |
JP2005151812A (en) * | 2003-11-20 | 2005-06-16 | Japan Science & Technology Agency | Suspension stirring culture apparatus |
JP2006340607A (en) * | 2005-06-07 | 2006-12-21 | World:Kk | Culture vessel with stirring mechanism |
TWI325401B (en) * | 2007-12-17 | 2010-06-01 | Duen Gang Mou | Vessel structure |
GB2527048B (en) * | 2014-06-09 | 2018-03-07 | Anaero Tech Ltd | Static batch reactor system |
CN205146261U (en) | 2015-12-02 | 2016-04-13 | 湖北洛克泰克仪器有限公司 | A seal reaction bottle for test of methane potentiality |
-
2019
- 2019-09-02 EP EP19194965.0A patent/EP3623039B1/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3623039A1 (en) | 2020-03-18 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CN112844138B (en) | Blender container and method of assembling a blender container including a telescoping shaft | |
US9045722B2 (en) | Mixing system | |
EP2544809B1 (en) | Process bag container with sensors | |
US8822209B2 (en) | Disposable spinner flask | |
US20100028990A1 (en) | Sterile bioreactor bag with integrated drive unit | |
EP3119506B1 (en) | System, container, device and method for mixing | |
EP3623039B1 (en) | Agitator unit, system and method | |
EP2121896B1 (en) | Torsionally flexible sealed drive apparatus and method | |
TWI696698B (en) | Shake-type culture apparatus and culture method using the same | |
US20060019376A1 (en) | Fermentation chamber and mixing apparatus | |
CN208485868U (en) | Hybridization instrument and molecular detection system | |
US11035824B2 (en) | Closure for an electrochemical vessel, electrochemical vessel and laboratory device | |
CN101858906B (en) | Total air temperature liquid-phase particle incubation and hybridization device with vibration function | |
CN108371921A (en) | A kind of full-automatic medical sampling test tube evenly mixing device | |
CN202778352U (en) | Agitator tank with agitating vanes | |
CN104849130B (en) | Evenly mixing device and mixing method | |
CN209438417U (en) | Agitator unit for flask and the agitator system including it | |
CN212833739U (en) | Bag type biological reaction device | |
CN214987303U (en) | Sealed container for holding liquid | |
CN202113818U (en) | High-precision low-speed stirring control device | |
CN204051587U (en) | A kind of sealed electric agitator | |
JP6566549B2 (en) | Cultivation method using culture apparatus | |
CN213467648U (en) | Sealed temperature control stirrer for large-capacity laboratory | |
CN217699214U (en) | Device for controlling sequential mixing reaction of reagents by centrifugal force | |
CN211800474U (en) | Portable totally closed mechanical stirring device for organic chemistry experiments |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20200903 |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20210204 |
|
RAP3 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: BPC INSTRUMENTS AB |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: C12M 1/02 20060101ALN20210930BHEP Ipc: C12M 1/06 20060101ALI20210930BHEP Ipc: C12M 1/00 20060101ALI20210930BHEP Ipc: B01F 13/10 20060101ALI20210930BHEP Ipc: B01F 7/00 20060101ALI20210930BHEP Ipc: B01F 7/16 20060101AFI20210930BHEP |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20211019 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 1464813 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20220215 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602019011176 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG9D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MP Effective date: 20220126 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 1464813 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20220126 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220126 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220126 Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220126 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220526 Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220426 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220126 Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220126 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220126 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220426 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220126 Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220126 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220427 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220126 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220126 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220526 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602019011176 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220126 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220126 Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220126 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220126 Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220126 Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220126 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220126 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20221027 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220126 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220126 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20220930 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20220902 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20220930 Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20220126 Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20220902 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20220930 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20220930 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20230816 Year of fee payment: 5 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20230816 Year of fee payment: 5 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20230818 Year of fee payment: 5 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO Effective date: 20190902 |